Siblings to line up side-by-side in second row in Edinburgh clash as new
national coach Vern Cotter sends out a young side in his first home Test
match

They may be Scotland’s most easily recognisable rugby players at the moment, but brothers Richie and Jonny Gray have somehow managed to avoid playing with or against each other on their way to the top of their sport.

However, that sequence is set to end at BT Murrayfield on Saturday, when 25-year-old Richie of Castres and 20-year-old Jonny of Glasgow will form Scotland’s second row for the Viagogo Autumn Test clash with Argentina in Edinburgh.

Strictly speaking, they have been on the same pitch in the past, but only in passing, when debutant Jonny was sent on to replace Richie in last November’s Scotland v South Africa match at Murrayfield. Other than that, the nearest they have ever been to each other in the heat of battle was as children, playing bounce matches in the back garden of their home near Glasgow.

Even then, it was clear that Jonny was growing up fast. “When you are a 12 years old and your brother is seven, it is a bit easier,” explained Richie of those ad hoc games. “As he got older it got a bit harder.”

Although Richie is the older by five years, it was Jonny who was first to turn to rugby when he joined Cambuslang minis, with Richie coming along some time later. That might explain the strange dynamic in a relationship in which the five-times capped Jonny seems to wield greater authority than his 39-times-capped brother (who also happens to be Scotland’s only current Test Lion).

“Jonny is the boss,” smiled Richie. “He tells me where to go. I just shut up and listen. In saying that, corny as it sounds, we like to bounce ideas off each other. If he thinks he can do things better he will tell me.

"Likewise if I think I can do it better I will tell him. That’s the way it works.”

Richie is one of five players in the side to face Argentina who are 22 or under, a powerful statement of intent by new coach Vern Cotter in his first home Test match. The other clear trend in operation is the preponderance of Glasgow players in the squad. Glasgow has contributed 10 players to the starting line-up, while another four have places on the bench. In essence, the Scotstoun club, which has lost just one competitive match this season, has contributed almost an entire international team.

“I think these guys have been playing well,” said Cotter of the younger players in his side. “They now get a chance to put the shirt on and show their qualities.

“I think combinations of players who play together at clubs always helps when they come together at national level. As a national team you don’t get a lot of time to prepare. Glasgow have been performing very well and that is reflected in [this] team selection.”

Cotter introduced a host of new players on Scotland’s globetrotting tour last summer, so Glasgow centre Mark Bennett is the only new cap in the side.

Bennett has been in outstanding form for his club recently, and it would have been a major shock if he had been left out. A more surprising name on the team sheet is Adam Ashe, the Glasgow No 8, whose appearances for the Warriors have been limited recently as he is in competition with regular captain Josh Strauss.

Ashe has been chosen ahead of Johnnie Beattie, who has been released to play for Castres against Toulon this weekend in order to sharpen his match fitness after a three-week injury lay-off. He is expected to rejoin the Scotland party on Monday as the squad begins its build-up to take on New Zealand a few days later.

Of Ashe, Cotter said: “Adam gives us the ability to connect the play of forwards and backs. He is a player who stands out and gives us a wider option. We have players who play around rucks and carry ball there; the two Grays do that particularly well. But Adam gives us a pass-catch and he has good feet.

“He can play midfield and wider and link forwards and backs. Looking at his defensive performances I think he has really improved. He has gained weight and he is a competitor. He likes hitting hard and he will be looking forward to this game to show his qualities.” Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has also named his team for Saturday’s game, including 10 of the side that started last month’s historic first-ever Rugby Championship victory over Australia in the starting line-up.